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Vice-Chancellor Professor Margaret House awarded OBE

Posted on
02 January 2018

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Professor Margaret A House, Vice-Chancellor at Leeds Trinity University, has been awarded an OBE for her services to higher education.

Professor House – who joined Leeds Trinity in January 2013 just as the institution achieved university status – has worked tirelessly to establish Leeds Trinity as one of now five universities based in Leeds. Focusing on the distinctive characteristics of providing a personalised student experience, harnessing the sense of campus community and increasing student employability through its extensive work with more than 3,000 businesses, she developed an ambitious five-year plan to increase graduate employability, teaching quality and student satisfaction.

Under her direction, Leeds Trinity achieved its highest student enrolment on record and more graduates than ever before were achieving first and upper-second class degrees. The University is one of the top universities in the UK for employability, student satisfaction and value-added, and she has transformed the University’s approach to research, resulting in a thriving community of nearly 50 PhD students, from zero in 2014.

She has been appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in the Queen’s New Year’s Honours List 2018, and joins a group of outstanding individuals recognised for their achievements.

Professor House said: “I am honoured and deeply humbled to receive this award. Working in higher education is all about supporting our students, and our students at Leeds Trinity University are inspirational.

“As a University that promotes widening participation, our students can often display a lack of confidence when they arrive. So supporting our students to achieve their best – whatever their best may be – both academically and personally, gives me an enormous sense of satisfaction. To see them leave, full of confidence and ambition, makes me feel proud to have been part of the team that supported them on their journey.

“I have a tremendous team of colleagues and students who all support the ethos of Leeds Trinity to work together in a supportive, community environment. This award is a testament to everyone and all the hard work at Leeds Trinity University.”

Ian Burrell, Chair of the Board of Governors at Leeds Trinity University, said: “I am delighted that Margaret has been recognised in the New Year's Honours List 2018. Margaret has led on a number of significant developments at the University to improve the campus and its facilities, and has also promoted and encouraged staff, students and community engagement to develop and deliver the strategic plan."

Professor Ray Lloyd, Deputy Vice-Chancellor at Leeds Trinity University, added: “Margaret is a passionate visionary and an inspirational leader. She has created a positive and inclusive culture on campus, and I am very proud to work alongside her. I know the whole University will be exceptionally proud of her achievements.”

Professor House is currently Chair of the Cathedrals Group of Universities, Chair of Go Higher West Yorkshire, an Executive Member of GuildHE and a Board Member of the HEFCE Strategic Advisory Committee on Teaching Excellence and Student Opportunities.

Prior to her role at Leeds Trinity, she worked at Middlesex University as Dean of the School of Social Sciences, Dean of Health and Social Sciences and Deputy Vice-Chancellor.